Most common scams in Malta

We have lottery scams and bank scams. Important is never answer a message directly. If you get a dubious message from Bank of Valletta go to the bank and sort out this business. Never ever answer directly.I got such a message several times, but I was knowing right away this is a scam because I am not a customer of Bank of Valletta.Also be extremely cautious with financial companies. When a company is not registered in Malta and has no approval by a financial authority of an EU country this business is probably scam. Be extremely cautious with offshore companies. Many of them hide their real identity. When a trader says my company is in London, but their bank account is in Germany  and their registration is in the Marshall Islands this is enough evidence to keep your fingers off.

When you're new to Malta, some scams pop up more often than others. Here are the big ones to watch out for:

Rental Scams

These are, without a doubt, one of the most common issues.

Fake Listings: Scammers post alluring photos of places that don't exist or aren't theirs to rent, often with prices that seem too good to be true. It's a classic bait-and-switch.

Pressure for Advance Payments: They'll push you to hand over a deposit or first month's rent before you've even seen the property in person or signed a proper contract. Don't fall for it!

Impersonation: Someone might pretend to be a landlord or agent, even using real property details but giving you fake contact information to scam you.

Unauthorized Sub-letting: Be wary of someone trying to rent you a place they don't actually have the legal right to sub-let.

Job and Employment Scams

If you're job hunting, especially if you're a non-EU national needing a work permit, be extra cautious.

Bogus Job Offers: Scammers advertise non-existent jobs, then demand "agency fees," "visa processing fees," or even "investment" for guaranteed positions that never materialize.

Exploitation: Some unscrupulous agencies or employers might exploit workers. They could give you fake payslips, expect you to cover social security and taxes, then pay you next to nothing, or threaten to fire you if you speak up.

"Fleets" Management in Delivery Services: This is a newer trick where individuals are sub-contracted for delivery services at incredibly low wages, often far below minimum wage.

Online and Digital Scams (Phishing, Vishing, Smishing)

These aren't unique to expats but are rampant, so stay on guard.

Impersonation: You might get emails, texts, or calls pretending to be from banks (like HSBC or BOV), Maltapost, the taxman, or utility companies. They'll claim there's an issue with your account, a package, or an unpaid bill, all to get you to click malicious links, download dodgy attachments, or reveal personal and financial info (like PINs, CVVs, or login details).

Tech Support Scams: Someone calls you, claiming your computer is infected, then tries to gain remote access to your device or push you to buy useless software.

Investment Scams (Forex, Crypto, Boiler Room): These promise huge returns with little to no risk, often involving fake investment platforms, cryptocurrencies, or shares. They create a false sense of urgency to get you to invest quickly.

Romance Scams: Scammers build emotional connections online, then invent "emergencies" or travel needs to ask for money.

Online Shopping Scams: This covers everything from selling fake products and used cars to counterfeit goods online.

"Tourist Traps" and Overcharging

While not strictly scams, these can hit new arrivals or those perceived as tourists harder.

Taxi Overcharging: White taxis, in particular, are often flagged for charging inflated fares.

Vendors Tampering with Scales: This happens, especially with fruit vendors, so keep an eye out.

"Expat Rate" Pricing: Some services or goods might be subtly priced higher for expats than for locals.

Fake Local Products: Watch out for products, like honey, being sold as genuine local goods when they're not.

Begging Scams

You might encounter people asking for "bus money" or small amounts, sometimes becoming aggressive if you refuse.

(I'm an EFL teacher, so I've compiled this list for my students over my 12 years here.)

Every rental is supposed to be registered now, some are not but it's upto people who wish to rent

places to make sure they are registered.  I have lived in Gozo for twelve years and have only once been approached by a beggar who has been annoying people (mainly expats and tourists) asking for money as he needs to buy petrol, he is English. A lot of the scams mentioned you find in other countries too.

Agree with all those listed by Ian Springham.

"Rental Scams

These are, without a doubt, one of the most common issues.

Fake Listings: Scammers post alluring photos of places that don't exist or aren't theirs to rent, often with prices that seem too good to be true. It's a classic bait-and-switch."

This is a tactic used by many, if not most estate agents. Possibly it couuld be because their websites are seldom updated. You phone because you are interested in a property advertised. The answer will be that the property "has just gone". You are then asked what type of property you are interested in. You reply, the same type of property, the same price range, to then be bombarded with adverts for smaller properties at a higher budget.

Many Gozitan estate agents do not seem to understand the English definition of "house" in that there are no neighbours below or above you. An apartment or maisonette is also called a "house".  Estate agents never post a photo of the outside of the property as they would in other countries. I was searching for a pet friendly house in Gozo, saw a "house" listed on an agents site, so booked an appointment to view. Purposely booked leave from work to travel from Malta to Gozo, arrived at the agreed meeting point which was a Victoria supermarket, as agents never not disclose the actual address of the property. Nobody there! Phone agent to be told that the landlord needed to travel to Malta, so could not make it, can we do another day? Repeat the same procedure the following week, this time the landlord turns up, but the "house" was a first floor maisonette with a property beneath it. 😡Two trips to Gozo and two days leave wasted.

@GozoMo -  There appear to be more beggars in Malta than in Gozo. Just last month Police arrested a number of people for begging and harrassment around the Marsa Park & Ride area and outside the nearby supermarkets.

Over the years I have been living in Malta I had been approached a few times by the same woman asking for bus money (obviously prior to free public transport being introduced). More recently, people asking for money to buy some food. They have always spoken to me in Maltese.

A scam that seems to be more common in Gozo than Malta, and not targeted soley at expats, is charging VAT in restaurants but not providing a VAT receipt, so restarant owners are pocketing the VAT for themselves.

In tourist areas, there are gift shops offering unlicenced foreign cash exchange to unsuspecting tourists. This unlicenced financial activity is in fact illegal, however many tourists fall for this. I have highlighted this in some Malta travel advice pages on Facebook, but some visitors have said they are aware but will still carry on using these services because they gain another 1 or 2 cents € for their £.